The Marriage Decree

Chapter 65: I Would Have Welcomed It

As the sun makes its way across the sky, sending rays of light through the cracks in the curtain of the east facing bedroom windows, Hermione stirs. Her eyes flicker open landing on Draco's pale naked back. For the first time in over two weeks, they had both kept to their own side of the bed during the night. Just the thought that even Draco's subconsciousness hasn't forgiven her makes the guilt return to her stomach.

Climbing out of bed, she grabs a pair of trousers and a shirt so she can change in the bathroom after having a shower and brushing her teeth. By seven o'clock, she's tidied up the dinner plates she had left to dry overnight, then cleaned out the toaster, mopped the kitchen floor and dusted the whole of downstairs. Now, she had nothing to do but wait for Draco to wake up so she can make him breakfast or a cup of tea.

With that thought, she picks the kettle, heading to the sink. As she waits for the kettle to fill, she glances out of the kitchen window across the green towards the shops, where she spots Ginny strolling across the grass. Impulsively, she replaces the kettle on its stand, pulls on a pair of shoes and a jacket before running out the back door, ignoring Geoffrey as he shouts something behind her.

She catches up to her friend inside the grocer's, making her jump when she calls her name directly behind her.

"Hermione!" She gasps in shock. "Where did you come from?" She asks, glancing around the grocer's and outside the door.

"I saw you walking over here and thought I'd join you." She admits. "Let me carry that for you." She offers, attempting to take the basket off Ginny's arm.

"I'm pregnant, not an invalid. I'm capable of holding a basket that doesn't even weigh anything." She snatches it back. "If you want to help, you can grab me some pears and cherries. Then we can go to the café around the corner for breakfast." Ginny suggests, pushing her towards the fruit aisle.

After she's bagged up the fruit Ginny had asked for, Hermione heads over to the counter where her friend is talking to the owner as he prices up her basket. She places the bags with the rest of the purchases so Ginny can pay.

When they reach the café around the corner, it has only just opened, so they find themselves to be the only customers. They find a table near the window where they glance at the menu.

"What do you want? It's my treat." Ginny smiles as she folds her menu back up.

"You don't have to pay." Hermione shakes her head as she closes her own menu.

"I know you I don't have to," She rolls her eyes. "But I want to. My treat, a thank you for all the ice-creams and sweets you've bought me over the years." She laughs as she stands up.

"Fine, thank you, I'll have some toast and a cup of tea." She smiles in defeat, watching as her friend walks over to the counter to order.

When she returns, she throws herself down in her seat and stares at her. "So, how did Draco take it?" She leans forward to whisper.

"How did you expect him to take it." She snaps, then sighs. "I'm sorry. He was angry, upset and when I suggested I continue to visit him, he got overprotective. He spent the night at Blaise's house but he did hug me before he left."

"Well, that's good." She comments.

"We both got a letter from McGonagall yesterday inviting us to a meeting at midday. I met him at the Ministry after one of his trials and we went to the Leaky Cauldron together for a cup of tea before the meeting." She explains.

"What did McGonagall want?" Ginny questions with a soft frown.

"She offered us an apprenticeship. She wants us to eventually replace a few professors that are retiring in July 2000. Neville, Pansy and someone called Jonathan Atkins were there as well." She explains.